News in brief

Lebanon's parliament yesterday delayed until October 23 its presidential elections after mustering only 85 of the 128-member legislature due to a boycott of the session led by Hezbollah. The opposition, led by Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, had earlier pledged a block to stop the US-backed majority - the anti-Syrian coalition, led by the prime minister, Fuad Saniora - electing a president from its own ranks. Efforts to choose a successor to President Emile Lahoud have become a struggle beyond current tensions. With no consensus, the coalition could elect a president with a simple majority. Associated Press in Beirut

Indians ban ceremonies for mutiny's British dead

A group of visiting Britons has been told not to hold public ceremonies honouring British soldiers killed in an 1850s Indian uprising against colonial rule. The order followed protests by Indian nationalists and others. The British group includes Sir Mark Allen Havelock, great-great-grandson of Maj Gen Henry Havelock, who was largely responsible for defeating the Indian soldiers' uprising in Uttar Pradesh state's capital, Lucknow. The group said it did not plan to commemorate the actions of its members' kin, only to pay tribute to their ancestors by laying wreaths and lighting candles at a cemetery. Associated Press in Lucknow

Farmers get cash aid to deal with long drought

Funds of A$714m (£308m) were pledged yesterday by the government to help drought-stricken farmers struggle through Australia's worst dry spell for a century. The cash, spread over two years, is on top of a government offer last week of A$430m in assistance as wheat and barley crops withered following below- average rainfall in recent months. Forecasters are offering little hope of the spring rains needed to save winter crops. The government said 23,000 of Australia's 140,000 farmers were already receiving help for the drought, which has gripped 70% of farmland. Associated Press in Sydney